I noticed in Reno last week that just the walking up and down the asiles at the show had me totally exhausted and hurting. When I got back from Reno, I jumped on the scale for the first time in months. Man do I wish I hadn't!

300 pounds even! The heaviest I have ever been.

Made up my mind right then and there that I was going to get back in shape before leaving on my buffalo/leopard hunt April 26. On Monday, I started back walking and dieting. That first day, I made it only one mile before my legs (actually feet) gave out. Tuesday, I made it two miles; Wednesday, three miles; Thursday, 3.5; Friday four miles; and this morning, four miles. Four miles a day is my normal training routine when get ready for a hunt, with an occasional day of up to six miles.

My diet now consists of a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast; a low carb protein shake for lunch, and stir-fry chicken or a chicken Ceasar salad for supper (with a couple of apples thrown in for snacks between meals).

This morning (Saturday) I was down to 288, before my four mile walk. My goal is to reach 260 or below before the hunt. At 260 (I'm 6'3"), I look and, more importantly, feel good. I have made two strenuous hunts at 260 (Newfoundland and Namibia) and had no trouble. Of course, I trained extensively before each of those hunts, much like I'm doing now. I'm hoping that since it's only been eighteen months since my last "big" training binge, it won't take too long to get it back.

Please, no lectures on how I should keep up this routine, even when I'm not taining for a hunt. I ain't stupid (debatable). I KNOW that!

Maybe the answer is to always keep a big hunt out in front of me so I will always have the motivation to keep in shape.

I'll keep everybody informed on my progress. Maybe my experiences will help motivate some of the other couch potatos on the forum to shape up.

too much information!

GAHunter, I´m moved by your situation -as it´s pretty much the same as mine! I only weigh in at about 230lbs but I had extensive knee surgery in November so it complicates the weight issue. I was on a stationary bicycle seven days a week up until this month, I´ve now moved on to a cross-trainer thing (ever notice how willingly people loan these contraptions?) an am doing 30 minutes a day six days a week.

If I eat much less I´ll die...

As I´m leaving on the 26 th of Febr I´m really motivated, without the hunt I´d probably be downing painkillers and brandy and whining about life in general.

Cheers, Gentlemen! Outstanding that your motivation level is so high, and you are willing to share your struggle.

Just goes to show again why hunting is so good for the ______________ (mind, body, soul, environment, blood pressure ...you fill it in)

Good food, good beer and whiskey for our horses is not for those of us who tend to lean towards the middle age spread, but ain't it great..My advise is stop and smell the roses then eat the little rascals...

GAHunter,

Keep up the good work. Just don't get to carried away at first. Work up slowly to avoid injury. Also think about getting in some weight work about three days a week.

-Steve

Steve,

I'm ahead of you there. I have been working out with weights three days a week for five years with a personal trainer. In fact, I bench over 300 pounds, which is pretty good for a 54-year-old.

It's my cardio that has suffered since I got back from my last safari. If I don't do cardio, I blow up, no matter how hard I work out with the weights.

stick with it GaHunter--- keep the cardio going! Weight training is great but it only goes so far. The cardio training will allow you to walk all day and even eat a bit more. Keep a firm hold on the diet too! that always seems to be the part that I have to work hardest at!
Good luck!!

GAHUNTER<
Heres a good exercise program that works pretty good.
http://www.wildsheep.org/pdf/six_minute_hill.pdf

Thanks RWS2

I’ll go to Africa in 3 weeks. I not overweighted but I want to be fit. I was training so : 40 minutes uphill, 30 minutes dowhill. In fact 30 minutes downhill is bad for the knees. I’ll try your training, seems fine, short and adaptable.
You are not solving my shoulders problems with bow training. Have You a trick?

GAHUNTER

You have the answer just book two trips per year and then you will have to stay in great shape.

You are smart to get in shape, why compromise your hunt with not being able to hunt hard. Thanks for the incentive, got me fired up to start my exercise going again.

CFA

Red wine breaks up fat in arteries. Just to let you know there is a plus to consider as well.

Swim now, thank me later.

Okie John

Just got of the rack! 25 minutes on that thing is gruelling and I´ve started to fall back into the old: "Just one beer" and "Just one Snickers" routine of mine.

I will resist, I will conquer.

How the hell am I going to eat low cal on the hunt?